<p>"California people are on their own planet. Bring up USC in comparison to the top 25 anywhere else in the country and no one will say they compare."</p>
<p>Why is only USC subject to the theory that California people are different-minded and value CA universities to an unfounded degree? Do you think that a person from Tennesse or a person from Kansas or Rhode Island would think that, say, UCSD is that great? But UCSD is highly respected in California.</p>
<p>Why would you single out USC as evidence that CA people are on their own planet? I would think that there would be many to argue that the whole UC system-- including Berk and UCLA-- are evidence that CA people value "their" unis to an unfounded and incomparable degree. Do you think that everyone on the East coast would consider UCLA on par with a Northern school like Columbia? </p>
<p>There are lots of stories of CA people going to the East coast/the South and being shocked that people don't respect Berk or UCLA or UCSD as much as CA people did, for obvious reasons. While they're respected outside CA, they aren't always held to the higher, more prestigious regard as they are IN CA. THAT'S an example of "California people living on their own planet." Not with USC.</p>
<p>"anywhere else in the country and no one will say they compare"</p>
<p>Oh really? Is that right? Do you have evidence to back that up, slipper? Can you please go to every single state in the nation and ask people there if USC is comparable to a few of the schools in the top 25, and be assured you will always get a "no"? </p>
<p>Can you please do some research and find out what sort of top 25 schools students give up to attend USC instead? Then will you be able to back up the statement that there aren't people out there who not only believe the schools compare, but that USC surpasses some of those schools?</p>
<p>Don't make giant blanket statements unless you can back them up. And you can't.</p>